Joy In SE DC Over Supreme Court Healthcare Decision

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) At United Medical Center in Southeast DC, patients, neighbors and administrators are all overjoyed about the Supreme Court upholding th Affordable Care Act.

They're convinced the Affordable Care Act will save the hospital and the city perhaps hundreds of millions of dollars. And that it will help patients pay for -- and get -- medical care.

"I couldn't believe it. I'm so happy, says Everett Delph, who just lost his job, but nowfeels like the Supreme Court has lifted a huge weight off his shoulders. He's sure now doctors will treat his diabetes.

For Andrea Giles, it's relief for her 16 year old daughter, who also has diabetes. And for 70 year old Maria Reynolds, there's the hope see can finally pay for her medications and the hip surgery she needs. Reynolds says she danced a jig when she heard the news.

DC's spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to save it's only hospital east of the river. The chairman of the hospital's board, Bishop C. Matthew Hudson, Jr, says the Affordable Care Act will ensure his patients have healthcare coverage... and that the insurance companies will pay United Medical Center to help them.

The hospital held a Ward Eight summit on stress and health disparities. Advocates are convinced the Supreme Court decision will help address both.

The Affordable Care Act pays states to expand Medicaid to everyone below 133 percent of the poverty line. It mandates everyone buy insurance, but it also offers help to people without enough money to pay for it.

Written and Reported by Bruce Leshan9News Now & wusa9.comTwitter: @BruceLeshan